Level 3 Car Mechanic Course in Ashton-under-Lyne

Cost£5,421.00
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body

About this course

Level 3 Car Mechanic Course in Ashton-under-Lyne. Classes run at Tameside College, full-time during the day. To join, you'll need a City and Guilds or IMI Level 2 Qualification in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles, and ideally GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 or above (or Functional Skills equivalents). The course runs for one year and covers 14 units across practical skills and theory, including health, safety, and automotive systems. On completion, you earn 48 UCAS points.

Who this course is for

The qualification is made up of 14 units in total, these comprise of 7 practical (Skills) units and 7 Knowledge (theory based) units. A credit value is accredited to each unit and a total of 73 credits is required to pass and achieve the qualification. On successful completion of the Qualification 48 UCAS points are awarded.

The 14 units to be achieved are:

Units 051 & 001 - Knowledge and Skills relating to Health, Safety and Good Housekeeping in the Automotive Environment.

Units 053 & 003 - Knowledge of, and Skills in Supporting Job Roles in the Automotive Work Environment.

Units 054 & 004 - Knowledge of, and Skills in Materials, Fabrication, Tools and Measuring Devices used in the Automotive Environment.

Unit 157 - Knowledge Of Diagnosis And Rectification Of Light Vehicle Engine Faults

Unit 107 - Skills In Diagnosing And Rectifying Light Vehicle Engine Faults

Unit 158 - Knowledge Of Diagnosis And Rectification Of Light Vehicle Chassis Faults

Unit 108 - Skills In Diagnosing And Rectifying Light Vehicle Chassis Faults

Unit 163 - Knowledge Of Diagnosis And Rectification Of Light Vehicle Transmission & Driveline Faults

Unit 113 - Skills In Diagnosing And Rectifying Light Vehicle Transmission & Driveline Faults

Unit 456 - Knowledge Of Diagnosis And Rectification Of Light Vehicle Auxiliary Electrical Faults

Unit 406 - Skills In Diagnosing And Rectifying Light Vehicle Auxiliary Electrical Faults

Entry requirements

You will require a City & Guilds or IMI Level 2 Qualification in Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Principles (VRQ) and ideally a GCSE Maths and English Qualification at Grade 4 and above (or equivalent Functional Skills levels).

What you will learn

  • You'll develop health and safety practices in an automotive workshop environment.
  • You'll apply good housekeeping standards specific to the automotive industry.
  • You'll build practical skills across seven hands-on units covering light vehicle systems.
  • You'll study the theory behind vehicle maintenance and repair across seven knowledge-based units.
  • You'll work toward a total of 73 credits across all 14 units to complete the qualification.

How you will learn

You'll learn through a mix of classroom-based theory sessions and practical workshop training. The qualification is made up of 14 units, split equally between knowledge (theory) and skills (practical) elements. Assessment covers both written and practical components across each unit. You need to achieve 73 credits in total to pass.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Tameside College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Light vehicle mechanic. Service and repair cars in a garage or dealership.
  • MOT tester. Carry out statutory vehicle safety inspections.
  • Vehicle technician. Diagnose and fix faults using diagnostic equipment.
  • Workshop technician. Support senior mechanics on complex repairs.
  • Automotive service advisor. Combine technical knowledge with customer-facing work.

What you could study next

  • Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Management. Moves you into supervisory or management roles within a workshop or dealership.
  • IMI Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. The NVQ route is recognised for technician-grade work and supports progression toward manufacturer accreditation schemes.
  • Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Automotive Engineering. A step toward engineering-level roles, supported by the 48 UCAS points this qualification awards.

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